Alabama

Family members of slain Prichard barber and minister "Mr. Sam" Richardson speak about the guilty verdict handed down in the trial of Broderick Brown, who was charged with two counts of felony murder. They are, from left, Samantha Richardson, the victim's daughter; Joyce Saucier, the victim's sister; and Shirley Richardson, his wife. (Michael Dumas/mdumas@al.com)

MOBILE, Alabama – On Wednesday, Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Robert Smith sentenced Broderick Brown to two 32-year sentences for the murder of Sam Richardson, a beloved barber and minister in Prichard. Smith ordered the sentences to be served at the same time, or concurrently.

Brown, 21, was convicted of felony murder and robbery on Sept. 11 after a jury took less than 20 minutes to deliberate his guilt in the case. Richardson, 60, was shot in the head on Nov. 22, 2011, in his small barber shop at the corner of Main Street and Garrison Avenue.

The prosecution had been seeking the maximum penalty for Brown, but Assistant District Attorney JoBeth Murphree said Judge Smith’s sentence was satisfying.

“We had asked for life in prison, but that is very substantial,” Murphree said. “I think that he’ll be in prison for a very long time.”